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Five questions it’s definitely worth asking at an interview

Congratulations, you’ve reached the interview stage! All that hard work you have put into your CV, cover letter and possible pre screen phone interview has now paid off. Previously I’ve covered aspects of the general interview approach such as interview etiquette and how you should dress, but we’ve also outlined that you should always ask questions at the end of the interview. This opportunity to ask questions not only allows you to find out more about the company but also enables you to engage in conversation with the hiring manager, rather than just answering questions.

But this opportunity often stumps candidates; what should you ask? You don’t want to ask too many or too few questions and you want to make sure they’re relevant. If you are struggling to think of something to ask, why not ask a question that will create a great platform for further conversation? So what questions could you ask?

“What type of growth and advancement opportunities does this position and the company offer?” This type of question not only shows long term vision and commitment to the position you are interviewing for, it shows you are looking for a career not just a pay cheque.

“What would a typical working day be?” The responsibilities will be listed on the job description, but this question allows you to gain a much more in depth view of the exact role you are interviewing for and what tasks you will be asked to complete.

“Why did you join the organisation and what do you enjoy most about it?” This question allows you to gain an insight into what the organisation’s current employees enjoy about their jobs and can allow you to gain an insight into the strengths and opportunities of the company’s corporate culture, it also offers you a chance to create a conversation with the interviewer (but remember to keep the conversation formal).

When you’ve finished asking your questions and the interview is over you should always end with the two questions, “when will I hear from you” enabling you a time frame on when you should start following up if you haven’t heard anything back and “may I get in contact with you if I have any further questions” . This will leave the door open for any further communication.

The recruitment process can be a tricky one to navigate, but with our 22 years of experience we can give you all the advice you require to help you land that dream job.